Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw (serum)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 7–9 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Early detection - Identifies autoimmune activity years before diabetes symptoms appear
- Peace of mind - Provides clarity for those with family history of type 1 diabetes
- Treatment planning - Helps distinguish type 1 from type 2 diabetes for proper care
- Risk assessment - Evaluates future insulin needs in newly diagnosed adults
- Convenient access - Direct ordering without requiring a physician referral first
- Confidential results - Secure online access within 7-9 days
Who Is This Test For?
- Adults with recent diabetes diagnosis who need to determine if they have type 1
- Family members of people with type 1 diabetes wanting risk assessment
- Individuals experiencing unexplained high blood sugar or diabetes symptoms
- People with autoimmune conditions at higher risk for type 1 diabetes
- Those seeking clarity between different types of diabetes for treatment planning
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online and visit any of our 2,000+ locations nationwide for your blood draw
- Get tested with a simple blood sample - no fasting or special preparation needed
- Receive results securely online within 7-9 days
FAQ
What does this test detect? This test identifies islet cell antibodies (ICAs) that attack insulin-producing beta cells in your pancreas, indicating an autoimmune response associated with type 1 diabetes.
How accurate is this test? The test has high specificity with a reported median of 99% for islet antibodies. Combined with other antibody tests, detection rates reach 98% at disease onset (Mayo Clinic 2019).
What if I test positive? A positive result indicates autoimmune activity against pancreatic cells. In asymptomatic people, this suggests increased risk for developing type 1 diabetes and warrants follow-up monitoring.
Should I get other diabetes antibody tests too? For maximum accuracy, testing multiple antibodies (GAD65, IA-2, insulin, ZnT8) together raises detection rates to 98% and provides a more comprehensive risk assessment (The Pathology Centre).
Can this test predict when I'll develop diabetes? While it can't predict exact timing, relatives testing positive have up to 65.3% risk of developing clinical diabetes within 5 years (Mayo Clinic 2019).
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test detects autoantibodies that attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, identifying autoimmune processes associated with type 1 diabetes. It helps distinguish between types of diabetes and can detect autoimmunity years before symptoms develop (Mayo Clinic 2019). The test is particularly valuable for determining future insulin needs and preventing serious complications through early detection.
Who would benefit from this test?
Individuals with suspected type 1 diabetes, adults with adult-onset diabetes needing to determine future insulin requirements, and relatives of people with type 1 diabetes who want to assess their risk would benefit most. Early detection through screening has been shown to reduce complications at diagnosis by up to 90% (JDRF 2024). The test is also useful for people with autoimmune conditions who may be at higher risk.
When should I order an Anti-Pancreatic Islet Cells Serum Test?
Consider ordering when you need to distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, have a family history of type 1 diabetes, or experience symptoms suggesting autoimmune diabetes despite an adult diagnosis (ADA 2025). The test is recommended for screening relatives of type 1 diabetics and for adults with recent diabetes diagnosis who show signs of autoimmune activity.
How do I interpret the results?
Positive
- What it Means: Autoantibodies present against pancreatic islet cells
- Typical action: Consult a healthcare provider; consider additional antibody testing
Negative
- What it Means: No detectable autoantibodies in blood sample
- Typical action: Does not exclude type 1 diabetes risk; monitor symptoms
Borderline
- What it Means: Low-level antibodies detected; unclear significance
- Typical action: Repeat testing in 6–12 months; clinical correlation needed
One or more islet autoantibodies are detected in 96% of patients with type 1 diabetes and are detectable before clinical onset.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No special preparation or fasting is typically required for this test. Continue all medications as prescribed and inform laboratory staff about any recent immunizations or immune treatments that might affect results. The blood sample requires 1 mL of serum and should be collected in a red-top or gel-barrier tube.
How often should I get tested?
- Positive result with family history: Every 6–12 months with metabolic monitoring
- Negative result with high risk: Every 2–3 years or if symptoms develop
- Confirmed type 1 diabetes: Not typically repeated once diagnosed
- Pancreas transplant recipients: As directed by transplant team
Why early detection matters
Early detection of islet autoantibodies enables intervention before severe complications develop. The CDC reports that type 1 diabetes diagnoses have increased by nearly 30% from 2017 to 2020, highlighting the growing importance of early identification (CDC 2024). Autoantibody screening and subsequent metabolic monitoring reduces diabetic ketoacidosis rates at diagnosis by up to 90%, preventing serious and potentially life-threatening complications (Breakthrough T1D 2025).
Related tests you may consider
Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) Antibody - Detects another common autoantibody in type 1 diabetes that appears early in the disease process. Combining GAD65 with islet cell antibody testing increases diagnostic sensitivity to approximately 90%.
Islet Antigen 2 (IA-2) Antibody - Complements islet cell antibody testing and helps identify individuals at particularly high risk of progression to clinical diabetes. Provides more comprehensive risk assessment when combined with other antibody tests.
Zinc Transporter 8 (ZnT8) Antibody - A recently identified autoantibody detected in up to 26% of type 1 diabetes patients who test negative for other antibodies. Adding this test raises overall detection rates to 98% at disease onset.
